The Southern NJ Drifters
Maureen Olivia Baxter, President
Dr. Beverly J. Hutton, Vice President
Strengthen Our Families to Build Better Communities
Our Objective
About Us
The Drifters, Incorporated was founded during a time when the Women’s Club Movement was sweeping across America. When Vivienne Lucille Malone-Mayes, Ph.D. of Dallas-Waco, Texas was a student at Fisk University during the 50’s, she envisioned organizing a National Women’s Club to nurture warm friendships and provide a social outlet for women with similar backgrounds and interests. After returning home in 1954, Vivienne continued to further this vision through letters to various friends throughout the country. She contacted girlfriends in Detroit who wrote to very receptive girlfriends in Chicago, who then contacted women in New York, Louisville, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
In December 1954, the first chapter was established in Chicago, Illinois. During the next two years, chapters were organized in Louisville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, New York and Greater Kansas City. The first and founding convention of The Drifters, Incorporated was hosted by the Chicago Chapter at the Sheraton-Chicago Hotel from October 11-13, 1957.
From the beginning, these women’s vision was broad and infectious, and not defined by the cultural barriers of their times. Hence, the organization’s history is rich, dynamic and inspirational. In recent years, growth in the number and size of chapters has accelerated. Drifters, Inc. is comprised of dedicated, courageous women practicing their chosen professions which include; education, law, health, elected office, business and other 21st Century careers. The many stories embodied in these chapters give The Drifters, Incorporated a rich legacy of sisterhood, and have provided members with lifelong opportunities to give and receive, belong and contribute.
The Southern New Jersey chapter was formed as an interest group in 2020 by Maureen Olivia Baxter and Ethelyn S. Bowers. Due to the pandemic restrictions in place, they could not meet in person but they did not allow this to stop them. Instead, the group of 25 African American women used video technology to meet monthly to organize the chapter. The group was chartered in August 2021 at the 65th National Convention in Washington, DC.
Chapter Officers
Providing service to local communities where members reside
Charter Members
- Maureen Olivia Baxter
- Ethelyn Bowers
- Tia Verzel Baxter
- Joan Bennett
- Linda Blythe
- Philippa Chaplin Squire
- Carolyn Clark
- Carla Dennis
- Angela Dickerson
- Ann Giles
- Chane’ Gilliam
- Beverly Hutton
- Judy Jackson
- Judy Johnson
- Janetta Marbrey
- Michelle Parker
- Cassandra Provost
- Yvette Sample
- Darla Syres
- Eunice Van Wright
- Terri Weaver
- Jennifer White-Reid
- Jacqueline Diane Williams
- Adrienne Wooden
National Programs
For over 60 years, Drifter women have been staunch advocates for causes and actions that enrich the lives of those in their communities. Strategic planning, targeted fundraising, and personal effort have enabled Drifters to accomplish goals and objectives focused on minorities, women and the less fortunate. The power of Drifters’ advocacy can be seen on the national and local levels.
Drifters Emergency Student Grant The Drifters Emergency Student Grant is a national monetary award granted to a college or university nominated by chapters of The Drifters, Incorporated. The grant in the amount of $10,000 is made available to a selected college or university on biennial (every other year) basis.
Voter Education/Registration Community service organizations, like The National Drifters, Incorporated, are uniquely equipped to address issues of voter participation and to help close participation gaps and strengthen democracy
NOW Black Woman The Now Black Woman Award is the highest and most prestigious honor given to a Drifter. The award is presented during the Annual Drifters National Convention.
Scholarships – Local and National Each local chapter designs their individual scholarship program. Scholarship applications are sent to the high school guidance departments in early Spring with deadline dates that allow scholarship committees to participate in the awards programs to present the scholarship. Each year at the Annual Convention, a National scholarship is presented. The recipient is from the local area where the convention is held and selected by the host chapter.
Voter Information
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